Apple-Walnut Cinnamon Rolls

Is there anything more satisfying and soul-warming than a cinnamon roll?

I adore this recipe because it adds a simple and easy homemade touch to a store-bought cinnamon roll.  This is another one of those bookmarked recipes I keep in my mind to make with children because we all know that my time in the kitchen will be significantly reduced with the addition of tiny people wandering around near my feet. J

You will not believe how warm, gooey, and incredible these cinnamon rolls are when they first hit your mouth.  They are PERFECT for the Fall season, and I am so ready for Fall. 

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee, http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Ingredients (8 rolls):
1/2 of a Granny Smith apple, diced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 (8 count) tube refrigerated cinnamon rolls (I used reduced fat, and they rocked!)
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (I used a bit more for extra punch)
1 teaspoon water
icing (included with cinnamon rolls)

*The recipe also calls for 2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter to use to generously coat the bottom of the muffin pan.  I omitted this step (and used non-stick cooking spray instead), and they still turned out completely awesome. 

The Process:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, stir together the diced apple, walnuts, and brown sugar.  Scoop even amounts of the mixture onto the bottom of each muffin tin.  Put each cinnamon roll, cinnamon-swirl side down, on top of the apple mixture, and press them down into the mixture with your fingers. 

Bake the cinnamon rolls for about 12 minutes.  They may need more or less time, depending on the size of your cinnamon rolls.  The ones we made were on the small/medium side. 

While they are baking, mix together the icing with the pumpkin pie spice and the teaspoon of water.  Stir together until the icing is nice and smooth and the spice is incorporated. 

Remove buns from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Then, with a clean baking sheet or a large plate, "flip" the buns so that they are apple-side up. 

Drizzle them with the spicy/sweet icing mixture, and get ready for an easy, delicious "Fall-like" breakfast!

The apples add beautiful texture and tang, the walnuts add crunch and healthy protein, and the pumpkin pie spice adds a sassy depth of flavor.  Paired with coffee, these are absolutely fantastic.  Enjoy!